Edible Earth from Travancore

Abstract

IN the Travancore Court of the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley several interesting products of this enterprising State were displayed. Among the medicinal products there were two substances named “Kalpal” and “Kalmadom.” From a description drawn up by Dr. Kunjan Pillai, these are said to be deposits found in the clefts and hollows of high rocks “in the form of a brownish-white foam which on exposure becomes harder with time and has the consistence of lime-plaster.” The decomposed rock is washed with water to remove foreign matter, as lichens, leaves, etc., and the sediment is made up into balls and dried in the sun. The lumps reduced to powder are said to be a valuable medicine for kidney complaints.